System of control for intermittent-absorption refrigerating plants



l n.0. HUYETT AND A. L. RiGISTEP., SYSTEM 0F CONTROL FOR INTERMTTTENT ABSORPTION REFRTGERTTNG PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3,1 918. RENEWED SEPT. 28, 1920.

Patented May 39 .WZL

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

D. D. HUYETT AND A. L. REGISTER.

SYSTEM 0F CONTROL FOR INTERMITTENT ABSORPTION REFRIGERATING PLANTS.

APPLlcATIoN man JUNE 3.19m. RENEwE0SEPT.28,192o.

1,375,884. Patented May 3,1921..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

D. D. HUYETT AND A. L. REGISTER.

lSYSTIENI 0F CONTROL FOR INTERNIITTENT ABSORPIION HEFRIGERATING PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED JLIN 3, 15H8. RENEWED SEPT-28, 1920. I li.

Patented May 3, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

D. D. HUYETT AND A. L. REGISTER. SYSTEM 0F CONTROL FOR INTERMITTENT ABSORPTION REFRIGERATING PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1918. RENEWED SEPT28| 1920.

Patented May 3, H2L

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

v abbo/:Mag

DANIEI: D. HUYETT AND ALBERT L. REGISTER, 0F PHILADELPHIA, EENNSYJUVNIA.,

ASSIGNORS TO VACUUM REFRIGERATION COMPANY, OF PHILADELHIA, PENET- SYLVANIA, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE. j

vSYSTEM: OF CONTROL FOR INTERMITTENT-ABSORPTION RERIGERATING PLANTS.

1,376,884. Application led Julie 3, 191B, Serial No. 238,017.

To'all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, DANIEL D. HUYETT, and ALBERT L. jRnois'rEm citizens of the United States- 'residing at Philadel hia, county of Philadelpl1ia,and State of ennsylvaniar, have jointly invented a certain new and useful System of Control for Intermittent-Absorption Refrigerating Plants. of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to refrigerating machines of the intermittent absoi ption typo and has more particular relation to asystem of control therefor. f

ln refrigerating machines of this type. attempts have been made to automatically con trol the changes in the cycle of operations but it has been found in practice` commercially considered. that the instrumentalities required to bring about necessary results are. so unreliable as to frequentl \y rendervsuch Systems inoperative. thereby offsetting the advantages otherwise possessed. An object ofthe present invention is to provide a practical and commercially valuable system of manual control for intermittent absorption refrigerating macl'iines for positively changing in an expeditious. reliable and -simple manner thi` c vcle of operations. A\.n'other object ot' the. present invention is to accomplish such manual control of cycle changes from a central point b v two groups of control valves. ()ther and further objects of the present invention reside in the provision of' certain new and novel arrangements, constructions and combinations of parts as ,will hereinafter more specifically be pointed out.

'lhe invention consists of the improvelnents hereinafter described and finally claimed.

The nature. characteristic features and Scope of the invention will be more fully understood from the. following description taken in connection with the :uicompanying drawings forming part hereof and in which:

Figure 4l iS a perspective view of refrigerating apparatus with the. system of control of tllevinvention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in front elevation thereof.

Fig'. 3 is a view in side elevation of the control valves shown in Fig'. 2.

Fig. 4 isa` face view ot' the safety device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Y Patented May 3. lt.

Renewed September 28, 1920. Serial No. 413A40.

Fie. 5 is .a view taken upon the line 5-5 of Fig. 4t, and

Fig. 6 `is a detail view of the latch con` neeton complemwtal to the Safety device.

For the purpose of illustrating out` in vention,'we have shown in the accompanying drawings, a form thereof which is at present preferred by us, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory `and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which our invention consists can loe variously arranged and organized and that our invention is not limited to the precise' arrangements and organization of the instrumentalit'ies as herein shown and described.

In the drawings and referring more particularly to Fig. 1. l0 designates a generator-absorber for containing aqua am.

monia or equivalent refrigerant liquor. The generator-absorber is of the type composed of a pair of super-imposed tanks or drums i1iterconnected by circulating pipes through which a thermal circulation 'of aqua iS set up between said tanks when the lower one is heated and the upper one is cooled. l1

designates a heater which may be fa gas burner or other suitable heat-ing medium. 18 designates a simple form of clehydrator composed of a small pressure tight compart ment in communication with the upper tank of the generator-absorber and in which there is a. simili water-circulating coil having an inlet at 13 and an outlet at 13". The hot high pressure ammonia vapor passes through the dehydratoren route to a condenser and is cooled therein bythe cooling water sulficiently to precipitate moisture entrained' i therein. i'lhe moisture as it condenses drips bac-k from the dehydrator to the generatorabsorber. "1:2 designates a condenser. for instance, of the double pipe oratmospherie type. The refrigerant. receiver is designated 1J... These parts are of standard type. The pipe connections between these parts, however, are arranged in a special manner in order.that interconnected standard -valves may be employed at a central point for thel manual control of the changes of cycle of operations incident to the manufacture of a refrigerant in apparatus of the character stated. Leading from the dehyd ator 13 to l the condenser 12 is adischarge pipe line 15, there being a valve A'interposed in said pipe line. Leading from condenser 12 to receiver 14 is a pipe 16 through which liquid ammonia gravitates to the receiver 14. Lead- -ing from a suitable source, not shown, is a pipe connection 15 to the heater 11, which connection is provided with a valve B. 'Leading from a suitable source, ne? shown, to a three-Way valve C is a pipe 16 far supplying a cooling liquid, aswater,to the condenser 12 by Way of pipe 17 and to the generator-absorber by way of pipe 18. A valve 17 is interposed in said pipe 17 which may be manually adjusted to regulate the iioW of cooling liquid. The pipe 18 does not lead directly tothe generator-absorber, however, but is provided with a secondary Water v alve Cooling liquid flows through pipe 16 from the 4top of the condenser to the dehydrator and thence passes to waste. From t valve F the vvater line leads to a Water circulating .cell ,upper tank having an inlet at 51f f/.andan-outlet at I51 which serves to coolt/he weak'hf.\ua after the proper amount ofl ,ammonia has been distilled and also serves to 'carryiaway the heat oabsorp'tion from/the aqua during a refrigerating period. Leading from the refrigerant-receiver 14 to the expansion coils 19 is a pipe 20 provided with a valve E. Leading frolnthe expansion coils 19 through the valve D is a refrigerant-suction connection 21 which con'- nection 1s returned to the generator-absorberv 10. The valves A, B, C are mounted upona bracket 22, see Figs. 2 and 3 and theI valves D, Ey F are mounted upon a similar bracket 23 wich brackets, in turn,`are bolted to a.

suitable support, as' for instance, one of the stands 24 upon which the generator-absorber is mounted. The valvesA, B, C are interl- ,connected as are the valves D, E, F andthe manner of interconnecting each group of valves will now be given.

Carried by the bracket 22 is an arm 25 provided with bearings 26 rotatable in which are the extensions 26 of the stems of the valves B and C. The extensions 26 each' have fitted 4thereto a socket 26 which fits Standard t pe of cock and said extensions are fixed tiiereto by means of screws or the like 26". By this arran ment special valves are not required. ear-wheels 27 and 28 are fixed to the res ective endso 'the extensions 26 of valves and C, which gear-wheels mesh with one another.` The-` stem of valve A which is a standard threelway cock is provided with a pinion 29 and a hand-Wheel 30. Loosely mounted upon the stem of valve B is a toothed segment 31 which segment is lin meshv with pinion 29. This segment is vertically slotted as at 32 to loosely receive the lateral extensions 27 f 66 of `an arm 27 fixed to and depending from tral point through the medium ofthe manuover the squared end of the usual stem of a gear-Wheel 27. The gear-Wheels 27 and 28 require a movement of but 90 while the pinion of valve A is required to be turned a number of times. Thus in opening or closing valve A, when the last tooth of segment 31 is reached the segment ratchets upon the pinion 29.` This is possible because of the loose fit between the slot 32 and extension 27 and the loose lit of theI segment upon extension 26. This arrangement of valves 75 constitutes what will hereinafter be termed group -1. A description Will now be given of group" 2. `Carried by bracket 23 is an arm 35 provided with bearings 36 and37 rotatable in which are the extensions 36 and '37', stems of valves E and F. Gear- Wheels 38 and 39 are provided on the respective ends of these extensions and intermesh and a pinion 40 and hand-wheel 41 are mounted on the stem of valve D. Loosely mounted upon the stem of valve E is a toothed segment 42 which segment is slotted and has connection with gear-wheel 39 in a manner similar to that described with respect to group 1.v The stein of valve F is` rovided with a device 43 by the manu( adjustment of Which valve F maybeset to the desired opening When valves D and E are open. lVh'en 'valves D and E are closed, Valve F is Wide open. The ,function of device 43 isxto cut down the flow of cool ing Water through the coil in the upper generator tank kwhen valves of group 2 are op'e'n for refrigeration and provide a. full flowA of cooling water through said coil dur-y ing a'cooling period.

From the above' description, it is apparent that the changes of cycle of operations of the apparatus may be controlled from a cenally qperated groups 1 and 2.

A escription Will now be given ofthe mode ,of operation of the apparatus above described. The generator-absorber is charged with a `refrigerant liquor, for instance, aqua ammonia and .heat is applied t'o drive o il'` ammonia vapor from the water. The vapor is dried in the dehydrator and asses under pressure `to the condenser. pon condensation taking place the liquid ravitates to the ammonia liquid -receiver. his may be termed the heating or generating period. ,f

To provide against undue or excess heating during the-above period there is provi ed an automatic control device .comprising a simple unit. This device functions at the termination'of each heating period, cutting oli' the 'fuel when the proper final aqua temperature` and corresponding ercentage of concentration'has been reache `and may also operate a signal to notify the'o erator that it'is necessary to close valves oiP group 1. If, by any chance, he fails to do this at once, no abnormal condition will result.

Attention Within a reasonable time after the heat lis shut off will give refrigeration by the usual operation of valves of group 1 and subsequent operation of valves of group 2.

A description of this device will be given at this time.

Supported by the portable bracket 22 isa casing 45 containing two metallic diaphragms 46 and 47 directly opposed by adjustable, coiled springs 46 and 47. These diaphragms are adapted to operate a pivotal rock arm 48. The rock arm 48 is attached to a fixed pivot 48 and whenever either of the diaphragms 46-47 are forced upward by pressure,rthe pin 48 is raised. releasing a latch 49 which holds the fuel vlvc 50 open against the opposing action of-a spring 51 or equivalent device. Ammoniapressure in the generator-absorber operates through pipe 15 against diaphragm 46 and by the proper adjustment of its complemental spring it can be made to shut 0H the fuel and stop the heating period in case the ammonia pressure reaches a maximum safe limit through any obnormal cause. Expansion fiuid, for instance, water, in a sealed tube 51 or equivalent device within the generator-absorber when heated creates a pressure, which works against diaphragm 47 to similarly close the fuel valve 50 when a predetermined temperature has been reached in the generator-ahsorber. The ball check valves 46'. and 47 prevent loss of ammonia or expansive fluid by closing -in case of breakage of the diaphragms. Diaphragm 47 actuates and closes valve 50 at the expiration of each heating period. This action automatically stops the heating and distillation of ammonia at the time the charge of aqua ammonia has been reduced to the desired proper percentage of concentration. By closing of valve 50 which automatically occurs when lever 50 is released by 1latch 49, an electric circuit'is closed thereby giving an audible orl visual signal to the operator. In the drawings this signal is. shown as being a bell 6l in the electric circuit 60. If for any reason the control device 45 does not properly function, in event of excess of ammonia pressure in generator absorber,a safety relief valve 60 having outlet through pipe 61 to the atmosphere is provided to relieve said pressure. A safety relief valve 62 is also provided for the ammonia liquid receiver 14 which valve has outlet to the atmosphere through said pipe 61 the purpose of which is to relievepressure of ammonia in the receiver due to overheating when shut off from the generator absorber. The hand wheel 30 of group -1 is now operated to close valves A, B, C, thus shutting off the discharge to the condenser, shutting off the supply :of fuel to the heater and shutting off the supply of water to the condenser through pipe 17 to permit fioW of cooling liquid to the generator-absorber. This cooling liquid passes by way of vvalve F and pipe 18 to the upper tank of/the gen-v erator-absorber, which tank has a cooling ing been opened to allow the expanded am! monia vapor to return to the generator-absorber where it is absorbed by the weak aqua. Certain heat of association` liberated by the absorption of ammonia gas in the weak aqua must be carried away from the generatorabsorber during the refrigerating or absorbing period in order to maintain the proper back orl suction pressure in the generatorabsorber. lf the absorbing period is eX- tended for a reasonably long time, this heat will be radiated to a large extent through the shell of the generator-absorber and little or no cooling water through coil in upper generator tank will be required.. The amount of this flow, depending upon initial temperature of cooling water and length of absorbing period can be regulated by means of device 43 and valve F described above.

It will now be apparent that we have devised a novel and useful construction which embodies the features ofadvantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description and while wev have in the present instance shown and ,described the preferred embodiment thereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understoodthat the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advanta es.

Vhat we claim is:

1. In a system of control for intermittentabsorption refrigerating plants, a generatorabsorber, a dehydrator, a condenser and-re eeiver, means for heating the generator-absorber, water cooling means for the generator-absorber, said parts being operatively connected by pipe lines and a plurality of independent, centralized, groups of manually operable valves controlling the flow through said pipe lines, each group consisting of a series of valves interconnected to move in unison and so arranged that for a heating or Generating period the setting of a single valve of one group closes the aininoiiia liquid supply from said receiver, closes the ammonia gas return to said generator-absorber and opens the generatorabsorber cooling water supply and which valves are so arranged that the setting of a single valve of theA remaining group opens the ammonia discharge from said dehydrator, opens the condensing water supply and generator-absorber cooling water supply. and opens the means of fuel supply to said heating means.

2. A s stein of control as described in claim l, t e valves of which are so arranged that for a refrigerating operation the setting of a single valve of one group opens the ammonia liquid supply, opens the ammonia gas return and throttles the generator-absorber cooling water supply.

3. A system "of control as described in claim 1 the valves of which are so arranged that for a cooling operation the setting of a single valve of one' group closes the discharge to the condenser, closes the fuel supcloses the ply to the heating means, closes the water condenser and opens the gen-l supply to the erator-absoiber cooling liquid supply. p

4. A system of control as described in claim 1, eacligroup of valves comprising a series oftliree valves interconnected to move in unison and manual means for simul` taneously operating all valves of one group independently of the v alves of the other group.

l5. A system of controlas described in claim l, characterized by a fuel Valve located in the pipe .line connecting with the heating means, said valve being located in advance of said groups of valves, manual means for opening said fuel valve after said groups of valves iave been properly manipulated, and

claims l and 5 characterized byv a signal op- -erable upon the automatic closing of said fue] valve whereby notice is given the operator in charge that the group of valves con# trolling the' fuel supply must be closed.

7. A system of control as described in claim l, characterized by brackets carried by said generator-absorber which brackets have. mounted thereon said groups of valves.

8. A system of control as described in claim 1, characterized by two groups of independent, p centralized, cycle changing valves, each group consistingr of a series of` three valves interconnected to move in unison, one valve of cach group being constructed for' manual operation and the remaining valves of each group being so positioned that they move substantially 90 during several complete turns of the manually o )erated valves.

9. system ot' control as described in claim l, characterized by groups of independent, centralized, cycle changing valves, each group consisting of a series of valves interconnected to move in unison, one valve of each group being arranged for manual operation and the remaining valves of each group'being so positioned that they move a predetermined distance during the movenient of the manually operated valves.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto signed our names.

DANTE. l). HUYETT.,T ALBER'L REGISTER. 

